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Fitness Cell Collective's disciples don't work out in a gym. Dubbed "The Compound," the Collective's roomy studio encompasses familiar fitness devices, such as kettlebells, as well as some unconventional equipment. Olympic-style rings dangle from the ceiling alongside suspension systems and ski machines, and a 40-foot-long set of monkey bars facilitates intense workouts and high-speed banana relays. With these tools, the certified trainers?who range from martial artists and professional weightlifters to dancers and triathletes?lead classes for all fitness levels. The classes?featured in New York magazine?range in scope to include kettlebell fitness, mixed martial arts, yoga, Pilates, and boot-camp training. The Compound houses more than just modern fitness equipment; postworkout, exercisers can purchase and refuel with fresh, locally made, organic snacks and signature protein drinks.

Like most good ideas, Gymboree Play and Music didn't begin in a business meeting?it began out of necessity. In 1976, Joan Barnes, a California mom, found herself frustrated with the lack of spaces where she could take her kids for safe and age-appropriate play time. Knowing that other parents were undoubtedly feeling the same frustration, she took matters into her own hands and founded Gymboree Play and Music. She consulted experts to design a curriculum of activities to foster the development of children?s cognitive, physical, and social skills through structured play. She hired a nationally renowned playground designer Jay Beckwith to design the proprietary play equipment at her centers. And her staff began conducting entertaining classes covering subjects ranging from music to sports to impart valuable lessons of imagination and physical activity to developing minds.
As their children learned and socialized, parents also found benefit in meeting and befriending other moms and dads in their local area. More than 30 years later, her vision has proved to be a success: more than 712 child-centered franchises now spread over 42 countries, bringing confidence and creativity to thousands of youngsters in several continents and to one in the center of the earth.

Though its wall-to-wall Japanese street-fighter games enticed many patrons, Chinatown Fair's most infamous attractions for more than 50 years were its chickens, according to an article in New York Times. The fowl competed against guests in games of Tic-Tac-Toe, and bags of fortune cookies awaited challengers who could end the chickens' impressive winning streaks. While the feathered opponents were gone when Chinatown Fair reopened in 2012, the arcade still lures plenty of gamers with arcade classics and contemporary favorites.
Washed "in bright candy colors, flashing lights and carnival-style music," as described by the Times, the arcade still keeps plenty of street-fighting games at hand, including Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition. Fighting alternatives include Guitar Hero, air hockey, basketball, skee-ball, ticketed and car racing games. To reward exceptional gaming, the prize counter stays stocked with goodies such as plastic green soldiers and a large selection of candy. The arcade's birthday packages allow partygoers to enjoy a slice of pizza and drinks before venturing into the main room to test their skill on the games.

The more than a dozen brick-and-mortar locations that make up Ultimate Champions Taekwondo Association share not only a style of combat, but a teaching philosophy as well. Tracing the lineage of their combative art back to Grandmaster Sang K. Oh, the instructors adhere to his teachings, exemplified by the quote, "The person who can defeat others with flashy techniques but is without love toward his fellow man will in the end defeat himself." Students use the physical empowerment of mastering jumps, kicks, and weapons to arm themselves with discipline, confidence, concentration, self-respect, and courtesy for others.
Outside of the classroom, the organization reaches out to the tri-state community with ample demonstrations of some of their most exciting techniques. Practitioners soar skyward in flying kicks or fill the air with the whirring blows of nunchakus, bos, and kamas. Fists slam through boards, balloons, and bricks to demonstrate the striking power of tae kwon do and the structural flaws in the Three Little Pigs' panic room.

Kids hearts start racing as soon as they see Kids 'N Action's murals, which depict cartoon friends cruising on a railroad and careening around a racetrack. At this indoor playground, wee ones bring those scenes to life. They hop on a train that meanders around the soft-play structure, where kids scramble through tunnels and zip down slides on four different levels. The go-karts on the track zoom at safe speeds, and toddlers play in their own designated section. An onsite arcade hosts games that aren't peppered with violence or breaking-news interruptions, while the sustenance prepared at the cafe is kept strictly kosher.

Luna Park seems like it was created to be a perfect date spot—think cozy two-person seats on rides and coasters, chances to win your date a fancy carnival prize, and a beach that begs for hand holding along its shore. Bonus points for sharing an ice cream cone or a hot dog.